Women's wares appeal to both sellers and buyers

It's a common sight in the Cumberland Valley around the holidays — articles and advertisements announcing craft shows every weekend at churches, community centers and fire halls. Observing the crowds and talking to vendors — who are, by and large, women — reveals that these shows are both a social function and money-makers.

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By Colleen Seidel/The Record Herald

Waynesboro Record Herald - Waynesboro, PA

By Colleen Seidel/The Record Herald

Posted Dec. 5, 2012 at 11:30 AM

By Colleen Seidel/The Record Herald

Posted Dec. 5, 2012 at 11:30 AM

It's a common sight in the Cumberland Valley around the holidays — articles and advertisements announcing craft shows every weekend at churches, community centers and fire halls.

These shows are the small-town alternative to holiday shopping at the mall, but observing the crowds and talking to vendors — who are, by and large, women — reveals that these shows are both a social function and money-makers.

Cater to women

One of the reasons these shows are so popular with women, both as vendors and patrons, is the products. Perusing through the vendors at the One-Stop Holiday Shop held Sunday at the Shady Grove Community Center in Shady Grove, an array of goods from jewelry to accessories, home decor and beauty products were on display.

"I think things like this cater more to women," said Lauren Horan of Greencastle, a vendor for Avon.

Some representatives at Sunday's show sold products from long-standing direct-sales companies like Avon and Longaberger, which have become household names. Others displayed wares from more recent, trendy companies, like Thirty-One, a bags and accessories company, or Scentsy, a scented flameless candle company.

Still other vendors at the show were women selling their own, handmade wares as independent businesses.

April Noll of Waynesboro displayed wooden decor from her craft business, Pine Hill Primitives, and Kristyna Suppok of Marion displayed hand-sewn bags, purses and wallets from her company, Three Sisters Co.

Family time

Another reason the shows have become so popular — and populated — with women is the flexibility gives the women in regards to their family lives.

"I get to do what I love and I can still stay at home with him," Suppok said, referring to her 2 1/2-year-old son Corbin.

In fact, it was being pregnant with Corbin that spurred Suppok, who had been "sewing for years," to create her own accessories business.

"I wanted to make my own diaper bag," she said. That was almost three years ago, and since then, Suppok has expanded into tote bags, purses, wallets, hair accessories and custom orders.

Many of the vendors at Sunday's show are also mothers, and many echoed the sentiments of Suppok.

"I can stay at home, set my own hours; I don't have to do a lot of traveling," said Stephanie Allee of Fayetteville, a representative for Longaberger.

Noll said that working on the craft items for her business has allowed her and her husband, Paul, to spend time together.

"We have three kids; we don't really get 'date nights' anymore," she laughed.

Noll added that her children, ages 20, 14 and 11, have grown up with the craft business and will often accompany her to shows.